Thumb-latch for adjustment-levers.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARVESTING MACHINE COMPANY,

TION OF ILLINOIS.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- TH U-MB-LATCH FORDJUSLTMENT-LEVERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,213, dated May 20,19027.

` Application filed December 26, 1900. Serial No. 41,136. (No model.)

v T @ZZ whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES MACPIIAIL, a citi- Zen of the UnitedStates,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State'of Illinois,

have invented a new and useful Thumb-Latch for Adj ustment-Levers, ofwhich the following is a specification. Y

This invention relates to a thu mb-latch for adj ustment-levers.

1o The object of the invention is to provide a thumb-latch for adjustment-levers through which the lever-holding detent or paWl isactuated, and which thumb latch or handle is of simple and economicalconstruction.

I5 A further object of the invention is to provide a construction andarrangement of thumb-latch of the character mentioned wherein danger ofpinching the hands or fingers of the operator is avoided.

zo Theinvention consists, substantially, in the construction,combination, location, and arrangement, all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, andfinally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views andreference-signs appearing thereon, Figure l is a view in side elevationof a thumb-latch embodying the 3o principles of my invention, showingthe application thereof to an adjustment-lever.' Fig. 2 is a detacheddetail view in perspective of a blank from which a thumb-latch isformed, the formation of the thumb-latch 3 5 being indicated in dottedlines. Fig. 3 is a detached view in perspective, showing a modified formof thumb-latch.

, In the drawings reference-sign A designates the adjusting-lever; B,the thumb- 4o latch.

In carrying out my invention I form the thumb-latch out of sheet metal,the blank indicated in Fig. 2 being formed with projectionsC D and withlugs E F, and the projections C D have holes or openings G I-I. Thisblank may be stamped or pressed and formed at one operation of anysuitable die, one of the extensions or projections D C affording meansfor pivotally Securing the latch to the adj uStment-lever and the other5o affording means of connection for the rod or other suitable device(indicated at J, Fig. l)

to the detent or pawl in the usual manner. The lug E, which, as clearlyshown, is formed in the base edge of the thumb-latch blank, is bent intoangular relation with respect to the body or plane of the body of thelatch, as indicated at dotted lines, Fig. 2, and in full lines, Figs. land 3, to form a stop for the latch. Similarlythe lug-F, which, asshown, is formed on one of the edges of the blankbody, may also be bentinto angular relation with respect to the plane orebody of the blank andat a point on the opposite side of the point of pivotal connection ofthe latch to 6 5 the adj ustment-lever forms a stop for engagement withthe adjustment-lever to limit the movement of such latch toward or uponthe lever, thereby avoiding danger of pinching the fingers or hand ofthe operator when 7o the latch is closed upon the lever. The other edgeof the body of the blank or sheet is bent or turned over in angularrelation with lrespect to the plane of the body, as indicated at K,thereby affording an ample grasping surface or handle and at the sametime forming an angular shape, which serves to strengthen andA giverigidity toy theV thumblatch.

If desired,the thumb-latch may be normally held in open relation withrespect to the adjustment-lever in the ordinary manner by means of aspring or otherwise, as may be desired. InV Fig. I I haveindicated indotted lines a spring L, operating to'hold the thumb- 8 5 latch in themanner indicated, said spring operating through the rod J. vIf desired,however, a spring M may be formed integrally with the latch-blank (seeFig. 3) and at the same operation which forms the blank, as aboveexplained, and since the blank is'made of sheet metalproperly'stampedout a portion of the blank metalmay efficiently servethe purpose of spring M.

From the foregoing description it will be 95 seen that I provide anexceedingly simple and efcient thumb-latch for adj ustment-le- Athumb-latch such as above described and constructed in the manner setforth While adapted for use generally with adjustmentlevers isparticularly Well adapted for use with adj ustment-levers employed inconnection with harvesting or agricultural machinery and by reason ofthe economy of construction thereof aids in reducing the cost ofmanufacture of such machinery Without detracting from the eiciencythereof or from strength or rigidity.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention, what I claimas new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to se- ;:ure byLetters Patent of the United States,

1. A thumb-latch blank formed of sheet metal having a thin Hat body andextensions in the plane of such body portion adapted to be pivotallyconnected to the lever and to the detent or pawl, and having a lug orprojection arranged to extend in angular relation with respect to theplane of the body of said latch to engage the lever to limit themovement of said latch relative to said lever, as and for the purposeset forth.

2. A thumb-latch blank formed of sheet metal, having a thin flat bodyprovided with extensions in the plane of such body to form means forpivotally attaching said latch to the lever and to the pawl or detent,said body provided with angular lugs arranged to engage the lever tolimit the movement of said latch relative to said level', as and for thepurpose set forth.

3. A thumb-latch blank formed of sheet metal, having a thin at bodyprovided with extensions in the plane of such body, forming means ofattaching such latch to the lever and to the paWl or detent, said bodyhaving lugs or wings arranged on opposite sides of the point ofattachment of the latch to the lever and projecting in angular relationwith respect to the plane of the body of such latch.

to engage the lever to limit the movement of such latch relative to suchlever, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A thumb-latch blank formed of sheet metal, having a thin fiat bodyprovided With extensions arranged in the plane of the body thereof toform means of attaching the same to the lever and to the detent or pawl,said latch provided with an integral lip forming a spring, as and forthe purpose set forth.

In witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand, this 18th day ofDecember, 1900, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

J AMES MAOPHAIL.

fitnessesz E. C. SEMPLE, S. E. DARBY.

